Why are people partly Christian?

[arapahoepark]

Hey I am looking for some deep answers here...preferably.
Anyway, the question I am asking is why mix stuff with Christianity? I heard Tim Allen recently say he's kinda Christian but looks to other religions as well.

What do people not get about the Bible and the atonement (I think that's what it comes back to)? why is this not be taught anymore?

[melanie]

OK, my answer is not deep, but the post reminds me of "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." There's no kinda. lol I know what you mean. People just don't get it unless they are saved and intertwined with the HOly Spirit.

[micah719]

Spiritually dead. Heart hard. Eyes blind. Ears deaf. Mind dark. Sin slave. Hating God.

Why mix it? Because the counterfeits look so good. Easy to get along with other heathen, no Stone of stumbling. Be like God. Go to heaven, be with idol made in own image (not the righteous sovereign God), or make own heaven.

Why is atonement not taught anymore? False Gospel popular, makes for big congregations, much money and adulation, safety in numbers, feeds pride. Always seems to come down to pride....but The Lord has an answer to pride....

[Everlasting Life]

It's part of the falling away talked about in Thess., tickling of ears spoken of in Timothy, false gospel warned against in Corinthians.

This is a time for us to pray for the church that deception would not take any further hold on it. Something dear to my heart.

[mattfivefour]

The answers above are all accurate. Simply put, bro, those who mix Christ with something else are not born again. They have a head knowledge of Him but not a heart knowledge. They are not new creatures in whom dwells the Holy Spirit. Were they indwelt new creatures they could not mix anything with Jesus. And if they ever could possibly look to wander down that road, God would pull them back.

[Meg]

If you consider the sort of ministry being shared here, I think the answer is that for all that is accomplished from the pulpit, there are many needs not being met on the Christian scene today. The first problem is the institutional framework of the church environment which is invariably and possibly inevitably geared to meet the needs or perceived needs of the group. this model leaves individual questions unanswered and individual needs unmet. Sanctification is a long involved process that doesn't lend itself easily to the institutional structure.

The second issue is that the Bible in general and the Gospels in particular are very difficult to understand at the casual reading. I had a PM conversation with someone recently, and comments shared with me brought back memories of how much trouble I used to have reading the Gospels. I could read whole paragraphs, even whole chapters, and realize that most of what I had read wasn't sinking in. It took the longest time to figure out, as I am an avid reader, and have learned to read at the college level. I finally figured out that the literary style of the Gospels, the way they frequently leap from one unrelated idea to another was short circuiting my reading comprehension, so although I was reading the words well enough, I was tripping up on the literary style and things weren't making sense like anything else I ever read does.

The third issue is that when a devoted Christian really sets out to follow God's commands, we frequently find ourselves at a disadvantage against unbelievers who have no moral restraint.

Finally, our idea of what's good for us and why, and God's idea of what's good for us and why, are going to, at some point, differ considerably. Entirely seriously, and attested to by virtually every committed Christian, there is going to come a time when God asks us to endure some serious discomfort to build our faith. People don't like discomfort, so #1, most churches hide that fact and #2, when uncomfortable, most people go looking for ways to get comfortable again.

So, Arapahoe, your answer lies in there somewhere, depending on which individual person we may be thinking of at any given moment.

People like to feel good, sin feels good, but so does the idea of having a God who actually loves us. So mix and match can and does seem very attractive indeed...

[followerofjesus]

I think people who say things like that are basically trying to ride the fence, playing both sides, especially those in the entertainment industry (like Tim Allen). They are fine with Jesus, and will wear the title of "Christian" like a badge of honor, as long as it doesn't cost them anything and they can do it on their terms. When it comes time to count the cost of following Jesus, they will look to something else to satisfy their need, or justify their view. There are also those who believe they were born into a christian family (meaning not born into a Jewish, or Muslim family), so that automatically makes them a Christian.
The bottom line is, you can't be "partly Christian", Jesus himself made that perfectly clear throughout the gospels, and Paul did the same thing in the espistles.

[Meg]

I think people who say things like that are basically trying to ride the fence, playing both sides, especially those in the entertainment industry (like Tim Allen). They are fine with Jesus, and will wear the title of "Christian" like a badge of honor, as long as it doesn't cost them anything and they can do it on their terms. When it comes time to count the cost of following Jesus, they will look to something else to satisfy their need, or justify their view. There are also those who believe they were born into a christian family (meaning not born into a Jewish, or Muslim family), so that automatically makes them a Christian.
The bottom line is, you can't be "partly Christian", Jesus himself made that perfectly clear throughout the gospels, and Paul did the same thing in the espistles.

Its not enough to scrutinize and criticize what they're doing, it is absolutely necessary to understand why someone s doing or not doing whatever IT is. Criticizing the behavior without addressing the motive is legalism in its purest form. Addressing the root cause with compassion and insight is working/ministering with Christlike grace.

[SonSeeker]

Hey I am looking for some deep answers here...preferably.
Anyway, the question I am asking is why mix stuff with Christianity? I heard Tim Allen recently say he's kinda Christian but looks to other religions as well.

What do people not get about the Bible and the atonement (I think that's what it comes back to)? why is this not be taught anymore?

My initial reading of your post caused me to laugh a bit. You're looking for "deep answers" but then use Tim Allen as the reason. Sorry, no offense meant arapahoepark, but Tim Allen never struck me as being particularly deep.

Anyway, back to your question. I don't believe there's any such thing as "kinda' Christian", One is either born-again, or he isn't. No one can be "kinda' born-again". Someone such as Tim Allen, may think Jesus was a great prophet, or even God, but that doesn't make him a Christian or even kinda' Christian.

But, what about the back-slider Christian? What about the individual who initially gave their heart and trust to Jesus, but was not taught what that meant and then slowly fell away back into their old self? If the Rapture occurred at that point, he would still be caught up, wouldn't he?

I think you're asking the wrong crowd this question of "why mix stuff with Christianity"? Why not ask the crowd that's doing the mixing?

[Robert]

Another question to ask is: "If the Lord brought this to my attention, what is His will for me concerning this matter?" I think you should go into prayer and ask for the Lord's leading on this, AP.

[arapahoepark]

hmm...maybe I though stuff would be deeper i guess, because since I am a real Christian like you guys I just can't understand (at all) why someone would look for answers in another book if you deeply profess to believe in Jesus....

[micah719]

hmm...maybe I though stuff would be deeper i guess, because since I am a real Christian like you guys I just can't understand (at all) why someone would look for answers in another book if you deeply profess to believe in Jesus....

Mar 2:21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.
Mar 2:22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

They are old bottles, enjoying old wine...the old wine being one of a multitude of versions of Jesus that is not The Lord Jesus Christ of The Bible. If they knew Him, they wouldn't want anyone else because there is no comparison. Further, if He knew them, He'd keep them from running off...He is The Good Shepherd, His sheep hear His voice. There are a lot of goats that have got into the sheepfold, but they stay near the fence where it's goaty, and they can still party with their goatish buddies. They even malign the sheep for being too sheepy, and eventually the world has come to think that sheepy goats are the real deal.

Mat 16:1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
Mat 16:2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
Mat 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
Mat 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Mat 16:5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
Mat 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Mat 16:7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
Mat 16:8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
Mat 16:9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
Mat 16:10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
Mat 16:11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
Mat 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Mat 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Mat 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Mat 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Mat 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Mat 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Mat 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

[Hannah]

Hey I am looking for some deep answers here...preferably.
Anyway, the question I am asking is why mix stuff with Christianity? I heard Tim Allen recently say he's kinda Christian but looks to other religions as well.

What do people not get about the Bible and the atonement (I think that's what it comes back to)? why is this not be taught anymore?

First of all what does he mean by Christian. Long before I came to Christ our family (none of whom knew Jesus as Lord & Saviour) described themselves Christain because of my parents Denomination which is associated with our nationality. Hence you obviously are a Christian because that is your background and part of your identity.

Many people connect to being a Christian because of their ancestry.

After I came to Christ in my late teens I finally realised what being a Christian truly meant.

So he identifies with being a Christian but is searching elsewhere. That is what Tim Allen is basically saying. He is unfortunately seeking in the wrong places.

What is Tim Allen truly seeking for? The meaning of life? Seeking his true self OR is he actually trying to find God?

[Ducati]

Most "christians" (little c), will miss Heaven by 12"....the distance between there head and heart.

A lot of folk claim Christianity by association only , like most Catholics with "being Catholic". Some think there a Christian because they were born in a "Christian Nation"...USA. Some because they were born in a "Christian home". Some think there a Christian because there were "dragged" to Sunday school every Sunday and were forced to go to Church as a kid every Sunday & Wednesday night.
Some even think there a Christian because they repeated a Prayer after a Preacher at the age of 10.


Your either fully alive or your fully dead. Sad how some never get this.

[micah719]

Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.


Therefore, "seeker-sensitive" actually caters to "self-seeking".


Praying for Tim.